I don't remember much about the palace life, but I remember Andy. He
was my best friend, my partner in crime. We were practically joined at
the hip. I knew all his secrets and he knew mine. But, all good things
come to an end.
Father took me away when Mother died. We left everything I had ever
known. Our home, our land, and Andy. I was only eight, but the last
time I remember being truly happy was my last day with Andy.
I had been sent to tell him we were going away. I recall running to
his room crying. He had pulled me into a hug and whispered soothing
words until I had calmed down. When I had finally been able to tell
him why I was so upset, he gave me a sad smile and pressed something
into my palm. It was his necklace. A simple silver chain with a small
key on it that he wore everyday.
"I want you to have it." he whispered. I nodded, dumbly and he slipped
the chain around my neck. "Now you can always remember me."
"Thanks." I said before slipping off my favorite bracelet and handed
it to him. "For you." He gave me one of his brilliant smiles and
slipped it carefully onto his wrist.
"Thanks, Ashy. I swear I'll always wear it." he said, placing his hand
over his heart. I giggled.
"Same." I grasped the key on the necklace.
That was the last time I saw Andy.
I sighed and rubbed sleep from my eyes. I had that dream again. I
always hated having that dream because it never failed to make me miss
Andy more than usual. I still had his necklace, and wore it everyday,
just like I had promised ten years ago. I was soon drawn out of my
thoughts by my named being called. Joy.
I stomped down the stairs from my cramped attic bedroom to come
face-to-face with my stepmother. Father had remarried as soon as we
moved, bringing this horrible woman and her two bitchy daughters into
my life, and then died a few months later. Fucking fabulous.
They treated me like I was their slave. I did everything around here.
If I went missing, they might starve to death because they were too
stupid to figure out how to cook. It was almost sad.
"Ashley!" My stepmother exclaimed. "Where have you been? We've been
waiting for our breakfast for twenty minutes! Juliet and Scout are
starving! You know how they get when they're hungry." I rolled my
eyes.
"Alright, alright. I'm working on it. Just give me a couple minutes."
I groaned. She huffed and turned back to the dining room. I walked
into the kitchen and pulled three bowls from the cupboard, as well as
three cups. I filled the cups with orange juice and filled the bowls
with cereal before drenching them in milk. I shoved three spoons into
the bowls and placed them on a tray. I was SO not in the mood for this
right now.
I stalked into the dining room and placed the food down in front of
the gossiping idiots I shared a house with.
"Enjoy." I growled before turning on my heel to go fix my own breakfast.
"Ashley! Wait!" a high-pitched voice screeched.
"What?" I turned to face Scout.
"We got an invitation. You need to read it to us." she whined. I
rolled my eyes again. It wasn't that they couldn't read, they were
just too lazy. I ripped the envelope from her hand and tore it open.
"Attention all citizens of the kingdom! Prince Andrew is celebrating
his eighteenth birthday with a Christmas ball and looking for a bride.
All eligible young men and women are invited to the palace this
December 25th. Wear appropriate attire." I read. I heard the girls
shriek with excitement. They were both obsessed with Prince Andy.
My Andy.
"Mother! Can we go? Please?" Juliet begged. My stepmother smiled.
"Of course, dear! We'll go into town and get you two new dresses after
breakfast. One of you girls will be the next queen." Scout and Juliet
squealed again and rushed upstairs to get ready to go into town. I
took a deep breath and turned towards my stepmother. Anything to see
Andy again, right?
"Stepmother?"
"Yes, Ashley?"
"May I go to the ball too?" I asked and held my breath, waiting
nervously for the answer.
"I suppose." she said. "On one condition."
"What is that?"
"Finish your chores first. And you have to make your own dress" a
large grin spread across my features.
"Thank you." I said. She smiled.
"Yes, yes. You've earned it. Now go before I change my mind." I could
have sworn a small, genuine smile played at her lips. I nodded and
rushed upstairs. When I entered my room, three small, furry mice
circled my feet. I knelt down and scooped them up, placing them gently
on my bed.
"Soooo" one drawled. "You seem happy." Yes, I'm friends with talking
mice. Don't judge me. They were turned into mice by a fairy who messed
up on a spell she was casting. According to Jinxx, the fairy, who
happens to be his girlfriend, was trying to transform their clothes,
obviously failed, and can't figure out how to change them back. How
she screwed up that bad is beyond me, but whatever.
"Yep." I said. Jake, the one who had just spoken, Jinxx, the one with
the fairy girlfriend, and CC, the one on a permanent sugar-high, were
my best friends. They knew everything about me, including my past and
Andy.
"Why?" asked Jinxx
"I'm going to Andy's birthday ball tonight" I replied.
"Really? That's so cool! Can we come too? We haven't left your room in
forever!" CC begged, climbing up my arm.
"Sorry, guys. You know how certain people feel about mice." I said.
Jake shuddered. He was the victim of the last high-heel attack from
Scout.
"Fine." CC pouted before jumping off my arm to go snuggle Jake. They
had been together for as long as I could remember, and even as mice,
they were the most adorable couple I'd ever seen. (A/N Yes, including
Cake was necessary. That is all)
"So what's the catch?" Jinxx asked.
"I have to finish my chores and make my own dress."
"Oh. Not that bad. Are you seriously gonna wear a dress?"
"Yes. It's Stepmother's rule, remember? CC! Stop laughing!" I blushed,
throwing a shoe at my small friend, which he easily dodged.
"Shouldn't you start your chores, then?" Jinxx suggusted. "It's almost
eleven now." I jumped off the bed.
"Shit! I've got to go. See you guys when I'm done cleaning!" I
shouted, rushing out the room.
-TIMESKIP: 4 HOURS LATER-
I wiped off my hands on my raggedy apron and headed up to my room. The
house was spotless and I was ready to start sewing my dress. As I
began the climb up the creaky stairs, design ideas began to fill my
head. I smiled slightly and pushed open my door. What awaited me
brought a smile to my face and tears to my eyes.
CC, Jake, and Jinxx were standing proudly next to the most beautiful
dress I had ever seen. It was a black dress with a sweetheart neckline
and corset around the waist. The skirt was full and draped elegantly
to pool around my feet and make me appear to float as I walked. (A/N I
make him sound like such a girl. Oh well. I have no idea how to
describe a dress anyway, so this is me guessing)
"Guys, it's perfect." I gasped. They smiled.
"We know" Jake said. "It took us a fucking long time, though. So take
care of it. Do you know how hard it is to sew with tiny paws? It's
fucking difficult."
"Aren't you gonna try it on?" CC asked, giving me his puppy eyes of doom.
"Sorry. Better luck next time. They're back. And just for the record,
using puppy eyes is totally unfair." I said. Not moments later, my
name was called. "I'll see you guys later. I have to go help the
trolls into their dresses." (A/N: No, Juliet and Scout aren't ugly.
But this is obviously an AU, so in this world, they are :p)
"Fine! But I WILL see you in a dress, Ashley Purdy. Mark my words!" he
cackled as I walked out the door. Sometimes he scared me a little.
"ASHLEYYYYYYY!" Juliet whined "Hurry up!"
"I'm coming. Calm your tits." I grumbled. "What do you want?"
"You have to help us into our dresses, silly." she said, motioning to
the ungodly pile of frills and bows. I wrinkled my nose.
"You're wearing that?" I asked, pointing to the monstrosity of a dress
that looked ready to swallow Juliet whole. Not that I'd mind that.
"Yes!" she exclaimed. "It's the latest fashion, after all. And I
simply HAVE to look my best for Andy."
"In that thing?"
"Yes"
"Whatever." I sighed. "Turn around." she obliged and I picked up the dress.
"Jesus woman! How much does this thing way?!"
"Shut up, Ashley." I rolled my eyes and began the laborious task of
getting my step sister into the garment of doom. When I was finally
done, I stepped back. To be honest, she looked like she was wearing a
bedazzled camping tent. I stifled a laugh.
"Okay. You're done."
"How do I look?" she asked, striking a pose.
"Interesting...?" I replied, not sure how to answer.
"Ashley! It's my turn now." squealed Scout. I groaned as she produced
another dress of death from a giant shopping bag.
"Alright. Fine. But you're gonna have to help each other with makeup
unless you want to look like clowns. I only do eyeliner."
"Fine. Just get me into tis fabulous dress." she drawled. Twenty
minutes and five thousand complaints later, Scout was in her dress as
well.
"Alright. I gotta go get into my own dress. I'll be down in five." The
girls nodded and shooed me away so they could play with their makeup.
I quickly raced up the steep stairs and into my bedroom. Opening the
door, I was attacked by three mice. Moments later, CC was adjusting
the final tie on my dress.
"I told you I'd see you in a dress. You look so very purdy, you know."
he said, hopping off my shoulder.
"Ha ha, very funny C. But thanks for the help getting into the dress."
I said, quickly ringing my eyes with black eyeliner. "How do I look?"
I asked, doing a twirl for my friends.
"Just fabulous, darling." Jinxx said in a fake posh accent.
"Oh yes, very fashionable." said Jake.
"I told ya you were purdy, Ash." CC exclaimed "Have I ever wronged you before?"
"Well, there was that time-"
"Shhh! Don't ruin the moment! Now go downstairs and strut your stuff."
he said. I just laughed and began to walk out the door.
"See you guys later." I called. As soon as I walked down the stairs, I
was attacked with bows and glitter.
"Ashley! You can't go out looking like that!"
"Add some color!"
"You look so depressing!"
"Here, a bow will make it better."
"Oooh. Add some pink."
"Glitter too."
"Perfect!" When the two girls stepped back to admire their work, I
almost had a heart attack. The beautiful black dress that I had been
wearing only moments ago was now coated with countless bows, pounds of
glitter, and pink paint.
It was horrific.
"C'mon, Ashy!" Scout said "You look adorable! Now lets go to the
ball!" She and Juliet began to drag me out the door,
"I can't..." I whispered "Not like this."
"Why not?" Juliet whined.
"You- You go. I'll meet you there."
"Fine" she sighed. "Let's go, Scout." As soon as they were out the
door, I ran back up to my room, desperate to salvage the dress my
friends had worked so hard on.
"Hey Ash! What are you doing back so earl- WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR
DRESS? You look like a fucking princess." CC doubled over with
laughter.
"Shut it, C." I grumbled, blushing. "What the hell am I gonna do now?
I can't go to the ball like this. And I really really want to see Andy
again."
"Well I could call Sammi." Jinxx suggested.
"Who?"
"My girlfriend. You know, the reason were mice."
"Oh. Right. Uh, no offense, buddy, but why the hell would I let her
fix my dress?"
"She's gotten better at magic. I swear! And plus you have no other
choices besides not going, or going like that."
"Damn you and your valid arguments. Alright, but I better be human by
the time this is over with."
"Yeah!" he did a little fist pump and ran off to do whatever it was
Jinxx does. Moments later, there was a loud knock on my door.
"Well aren't you gonna answer it?" CC asked. I shrugged and walked
down stairs, Jake and C trailing behind me. I pulled the door open to
come face to face with... A girl.
"Hey kid, you're Ashley right?" she asked. I nodded and stepped aside
letting her in.
"And you are...?"
"SAMMI!" A voice cried from behind me before Jinxx was launching
himself at the girl.
"Well never mind then." I muttered.
"Hey, Jinxxy. How are you?" she asked him, holding the mouse close to her face.
"I'm fine, but I missed you loads." he gushed as she pressed a kiss to
his small, pink nose.
"I hate to intrude on your little moment, but I kinda need Sammi's
help." I said, tapping my foot impatiently.
"Yes. I can see that." she hummed, looking me over. "You're a hot mess, man."
"Thanks" I said sarcastically. "Can you fix me please?"
"I can try."
"Great. No offense, but shouldn't you be a bit more girly?" I asked
the black clad fairy. She rolled her eyes.
"Uh, no offense, but shouldn't you be a bit more manly?"
"Touche. Now please help me."
"Fine." she began chanting what sounded like song lyrics, and slowly
my dress transformed back into it's beautiful, original state. "Done."
she smiled
"Thank you!" I gushed.
"Alright, now here's twenty for a cab to get there, and you can only
stay till midnight. My spell can only last a few hours and that's
pushing it." she instructed, pressing money into my palm.
"Thanks, but if your magic only lasts a few hours, why are the guys still mice?"
"Mistakes were made. I'm working on it. Just remember, I can still
turn your dress very fru-fru VERY fast."
"Right. Got it. Thanks again. Bye guys!." I yelled and took off to hail a cab.
-Timeskip-
I paid the cabby and slowly made my way up to the grand doors of the
palace. I twirled Andy's necklace in between my fingers and took a
deep breath before pushing open the doors and making my entrance.
As I walked down the stairs, I noticed everything had stopped. People
were staring, and I was feeling super uncomfortable. But then again,
who wouldn't stare at the guy who was an hour late to the biggest
event of the year? Not these people.
I walked slowly to the center of the room (partially because I was
nervous, partially because I was in heels) before spotting a face that
had haunted my dreams for ten years. It was Andy.
He walked swiftly towards where I was standing, looking like an akward
turtle, and took my hand.
"Would you care to dance?" he asked me, his striking blue eyes the
same as they were years ago.
"Yeah, funny thing, I can't dance. Plus I'm in heels, so I REALLY
can't dance." I said, grinning sheepishly.
"Okay then... Would you rather just go on the terrace and talk?" I
nodded vigorously. He led me out to a stone bench in the middle of a
garden.
"So, Andy... I mean Prince Andy... Uh, Prince Andrew-"
"Ash, it's okay. I know it's you." he looked at me from under thick
lashes, a smirk playing at his lips.
"Oh, thank god, Andy. I thought you wouldn't remember me." I said,
pulling him into a hug.
"How could I ever forget you, Ashes? We spent everyday together as kids."
"Yeah, but a lot can happen in ten years."
"Fair enough, but I see you still have my necklace."
"Yeah, I kept my promise, remember? I wear it everyday." I blushed
"Good. I thought I was the only one." he admitted, holding out his
wrist. Sure enough, the bracelet was still there.
"God, Andy. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too." he smiled. We spent the next few hours talking
about random, useless crap and just caught up. We were still the same
as when we were kids. We talked about bands, food, people,
celebrities, politics, everything. I mentioned CC, Jake, and Jinxx and
he made me tell the story of how they were turned to mice. I told him
everything that had happened since I left, and he did the same. It was
perfect.
I think I was falling in love.
But all too soon, the clock struck twelve.
"Shit." I mumbled. "I have to go."
"Wait! Ash!" Andy exclaimed. 'I-I think I love you." his creamy skin
was turning a bright red.
"I think I love you too." I said, placing a kiss to his cheek. "But I
have to go."
"I'll find you, I swear." he called as I ran off into the dark night
(BATMAN! not).
-Timeskip-
The next morning, I awoke to a loud pounding on the door. When I
reached downstairs, the door was already opened to reveal Andy, in all
his glory, on our doorstep.
"Come in, come in." my stepmother exclaimed, ushering him inside.
"Uhh... Thanks? But I just came to ask if Ashley Purdy lived here." he
said. As I was about to go out to greet Andy, she shot me a death
glare that stopped me in my tracks.
"One moment, sire. GIRLS!" she called "PRINCE ANDREW IS HERE!" the
sound of thundering footsteps and excited squeals could be heard
racing down the stairs.
"Actually, Ashley isn't a girl-" Andy began
"Are these who you're looking for?" She cut him off.
"Uh, no ma'am. I'm sorry. The Ashley I'm searching for is a boy."
"Oh! You mean like our Ashley?" Juliet asked. Thank the lord for her
sheer stupidity. Stepmother's face froze.
"Yeah." Scout chimed in. "Ashley is a guy. Maybe that's who Prince
Andrew is looking for. I wouldn't know why, though."
"Ashley!" screeched Juliet "Come here!" I slowly made my way into the
room, offering Andy a small wave as I went. He returned it and gave me
a tiny smile.
"Uh. Yeah?"
"Prince Andrew is looking for a guy named Ashley. Thats you. Why?"
"Because, I came to formally ask Ashley to marry me." Andy cut in. I
stared at him, wide-eyed and slack-jawed.
"You're serious?" I asked, incredulosly. My family looked about the same as I.
"Of course, Ashes. I love you. I told you I'd find you." he smiled.
Seconds later, my arms were looped around his neck, his own lengthy
arms snaked around my waist.
"Yes, you idiot. I love you too." I mumbled, burying my face into his
chest. That beautiful moment sadly didn't last.
"WHAT?!" Stepmother screeched, the first to recover.
"Uh, I asked your stepson to marry me?"
"Why? I have two beautiful daughters here. Why him, of all people?" she spat.
"Because I love him." Andy growled angrily. "Ashley is a beautiful,
kind, loving, funny, intelligent person. He is who I want to spend the
rest of my life with, and the only one I would even consider ruling by
my side." I felt my cheeks flush, Andy always knew what to say.
"He's just our chore boy." Stepmother hissed. "And a lousy one at
that. Why should he marry a prince instead of my daughters?"
"I told you. I love him. And you should really value Ash more than a chore boy."
"I value him as I see him." she scoffed. "A rather useless waste of
space." I knew how much she hated me, but it still hurt. Tears began
to prick at the corners of my eyes and I stifled a small sob. Andy
tightened his grip on my waist.
"Fine then." he said through gritted teeth. "I'll just help collect
Ashley's stuff and we'll leave."
"You're not going anywhere with him." she growled "He may be useless,
but I'm not allowing you to take him. We still need him here for
housework."
"I can do whatever the hell I want. I'm motherfuckin' royalty, bitch."
he cackled before pushing past her and leading me up to my small attic
room.
"Thanks." I muttered. "I know she hates my guts, but that hurt."
"I know, baby." he whispered and leaned down to peck my lips. We stood
there, softly kissing until a small voice caught our attention.
"Uh, guys? Yeah. We're still here, so if you could not do that, that'd
be great. Thanks." Jinxx said.
"You're just jealous that I have Andy and Jake has CC. Face it man,
until Sammi comes back, you're alone." I chuckled.
"Whatever." he grumbled. After a short introduction to my friends, and
a long chat, we packed up my things (basically just my bass, some
jeans, band tees, and my hairbrush) and grabbed the guys (All their
shit was still with Sammi). Moments later, we were driving away from
the hellhole I called home and towards a brand new life.
"Just so you know, I like you better off this way" Andy whispered as
soon as my old home was out of sight.
"Oh? And how is that?"
"In a t-shirt and jeans."
"Good, cause I ain't putting on anymore dresses."
"Not if Sammi has anything to say about it~" CC chimed.
"She wouldn't"
"Oh yes she would."
"Well shit. Guess who's being forced into a wedding dress?" I groaned
"I think you'd look sexy." Andy shrugged.
"Who's side are you on?"
"That's not important."
"Uh huh. Riiiiiight."